Extreme Winds, Low Humidity Cause Fire Growth Inside Rocky Mountain National Park

Yesterday, due to extreme winds, the East Troublesome Fire (Thompson Zone) intensified and continued to make a significant run to the east from the Continental Divide toward Bear Lake Road in Rocky Mountain National Park causing additional mandatory evacuations of the Estes Valley. The fire split into two fingers with one moving northeast along the Big Thompson River to Moraine Park and one east along Mill Creek into Hollowell Park. Structural engines from Colorado and beyond stood ready to defend structures within Rocky Mountain National Park and the Estes Park community.

Firefighters developed and deployed offensive and defensive tactics when and where they safely could. Firefighters were in a defensive mode focusing on structure preparation and strengthening the indirect lines near the border of Rocky Mountain National Park and Estes Park. Crews took advantage of previous fuel treatments conducted by park staff and were able to aggressively execute direct attack on front of the fire. In the Upper Beaver Meadows area and west of the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center, crews took numerous aggressive actions including conducting firing operations off of existing roads, using fuel type changes such as wetlands, and other features to piece together three miles of fireline to deflect the fire from progressing further east. Due to these efforts and changing weather, the fire is continue to hold west of Bear Lake Road and Trail Ridge Road, within the park. Swing shift and night operations continued to patrol and implement structure protection as needed.

With winds lessening and snow and moisture that fell across the fire last night, no active spread is anticipated today. Day and night operations will continue to monitor the fire’s edge, conduct structure assessments and protect values at risk.

The Grand Zone of the East Troublesome Fire, on the west side of the park, saw minimal growth yesterday despite the red flag warning and high winds. Firefighters had a productive day and made good progress on the containment effort. The team assigned resources to the Holzwarth Historic Site area of the Kawuneechee Valley to begin prep work in the event the fire crosses the access road approximately 1 mile to the south.

The East Troublesome Fire, which started on October 14, has grown to over 190,000 acres. The fire was initially burning outside of Rocky Mountain National Park’s boundary. However, on October 21, the fire grew over 100,000 acres and expanded onto the western side of the park then spotted over the Continental Divide to the east side of the park.

All of Rocky Mountain National Park remains closed. For the most up-to-date information on the East Troublesome Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7242/ For the most up-to-date information on the Cameron Peak Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6964/

Varying evacuation orders are in place for both the East Troublesome Fire as well as the Cameron Peak Fire.

Updates are provided by Grand County Emergency Management at gcemergency.com. Sign up for the Grand County CodeRed system, which will notify your mobile device of changing evacuation conditions.

Updates are provided by Larimer County Emergency Management at www.nocoalert.org Sign up for the Larimer County LETA system, which will notify your mobile device of changing evacuation conditions.




Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
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East Troublesome Fire Moves Into Rocky Mountain National Park Both Sides Of Continental Divide

On Wednesday, October 21, the East Troublesome Fire ran approximately 18 miles before it moved into the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, where rapid evacuations began for the Grand Lake community and park staff. There appears to be some structure loss on the west side of the park, but initial assessment indicate that it is minimal. We are unable to fully assess those impacts, at this time.

On the morning of Thursday, October 22, a heat signature from the National Weather Service was picked up in the Spruce Creek drainage, on the east side of the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. The East Troublesome Fire had spotted approximately 1.5 miles from the head of Tonahutu Creek to the head of Spruce Creek. Low clouds contributed to the challenge of assessing where smoke was coming from. Park fire lookouts from near the Ute Trail along Trail Ridge Road were able to confirm a smoke column out of Spruce Creek. Due to the location of the fire in the lower Spruce Creek drainage and confluence of Forest Canyon, evacuations began for areas of Estes Park. Humidity levels yesterday greatly assisted in stopping the fire growth and it appears it has remained in that general location. It is in the same general area as the Fern Lake Fire of 2012.

On the west side of the park, resources were focused on continual life and safety priorities and ongoing evacuations from the night before. Numerous trees were down on the west side of Trail Ridge Road, north of the Green Mountain Trailhead, blocking that area as a means to evacuate on Wednesday night, October 21. Weather conditions on the west of the Continental Divide were very different than the east side yesterday, with low humidity and winds continuing to add to the fire growth. As of last night, the East Troublesome Fire had moved north of the Coyote Valley Trailhead.

All of Rocky Mountain National Park remains closed. For the most up-to-date information on the East Troublesome Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7242/ For the most up-to-date information on the Cameron Peak Fire visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6964/

Varying evacuation orders are in place for both the East Troublesome Fire as well as the Cameron Peak Fire. Updates are provided by Grand County Emergency Management at gcemergency.com. Sign up for the Grand County CodeRed system, which will notify your mobile device of changing evacuation conditions.

Updates are provided by Larimer County Emergency Management at www.nocoalert.org Sign up for the Larimer County LETA system, which will notify your mobile device of changing evacuation conditions.









Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

West Side Of Rocky Mountain National Park Closed Due To East Troublesome Creek Fire Growth Outside Of Park

The west side of Rocky Mountain National Park is closed to park visitors due to significant fire activity on the East Troublesome Creek Fire outside of the park. Grand Lake area residents are following evacuation orders to evacuate south on US 34 toward Granby. Trail Ridge Road is currently open for evacuation east bound if needed. There is low visibility reported due to smoke on Trail Ridge Road. Trail Ridge Road is closed west bound at Rainbow Curve. Travelers should be aware of smoke, wind, weather and fire conditions as fire activity is rapidly changing and road closures may be put in place quickly.

Information is currently being updated on the park’s website and social media. For further information about Rocky Mountain National Park, please visit www.nps.gov/romo or contact the park’s Information Office at 970-586-1206. The park's recorded Fire Information Line is (970) 586-1381.









Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

TetonHikingTrails.com Adds 12 Hikes From Yellowstone National Park

As mentioned a few weeks ago, my wife and I visited both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park last month. In addition to the two hikes from Grand Teton we added to our website, TetonHikingTrails.com, we have also added 12 new hikes from Yellowstone National Park (which reside on our Other Wyoming Hikes directory). They are as follows:

  * North Rim Trail

  * Avalanche Peak

  * Bunsen Peak - Osprey Falls Loop

  * South Rim - Clear Lake Loop

  * Osprey Falls

  * Bunsen Peak

  * Mystic Falls

  * Yellowstone Lake Overlook

  * Trout Lake

  * Lamar River Trail

  * Grand Prismatic Overlook

  * Cascade Lake





Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park

TetonHikingTrails.com Adds Two New Hikes

As mentioned a few weeks ago, my wife and I visited Grand Teton National Park last month. As a result of that trip we were able to add two new hikes to our website, TetonHikingTrails.com. These two highly scenic hikes are:

Surprise Lake: 

  Schwabacher Landing Trail:

Jeff
RockyMountainHikingTrails.com
HikinginGlacier.com
TetonHikingTrails.com
HikingintheSmokys.com

Ramble On: A History of Hiking
Exploring Glacier National Park
Exploring Grand Teton National Park